Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction ❯ In Darkness In Fire ❯ Point of No Return ( Chapter 4 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Ranma felt the strength within him grow, and could touch it now, months had passed since he had first picked up that practice weapon, since everything had started, and now, he had reached the plateau, the same one his mother had reached, the one she claimed that she could never rise above. She encouraged him to create new techniques of his own, to mark the world with a style of combat that would shake the foundations of martial practice forever. That was what he was doing, he realized, he had started to master this art, and would have it perfectly integrated into his own soon enough. He realized that it was now the time to take his stand, he needed freedom, and he had to forsake his name to do it. With that thought he fell into sleep, mind whirling at what would be done the next day.

Nodoka felt the coming storm, it was as if it were brewing inside her, something would happen soon, something big. She hadn’t the slightest clue how right she was.

In Darkness In Fire

By: XZero

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 4 – Point of No Return

Within the meeting area of the pretty soldiers a tension had been drawn between them, Setsuna’s words were haunting and dangerous, if indeed there were a threat capable of ending them entirely what would they do. Apparently, time was something they didn’t have the luxury of; something had to be done with the one woman, a creature of immense evil masquerading as a human. They were all indecisive, all of them wary of this, uncomfortable with ending a life, especially one that was in all purposes human. Setsuna had admitted that she would have done it herself, but she didn’t believe that her power alone could handle the woman, something that had stunned the senshi. This was their omnipotent and infallible bastion of wisdom, yet there was a foe that she could not conquer? As one though, the thought that they must do something solidified their resolve, something must be done. They would strike the following night, when innocents would be safely in their homes, away from the conflict zone. None save Hotaru were truly hesitant.

Haruka and Michiru were confused, all others had had a vision in their dreams, visions that Setsuna said were warnings about the enemy they would face, a reminder of their terrible power. As they drove those three outers could only think about why. Hotaru’s thoughts were different from those of her parents; she was instead wondering why the people had to die, why she had to kill again. From what she learned in school, destroying this woman would be no different from Hitler’s strike at the Jews in World War II. She knew she couldn’t share these thoughts; her parents were too dedicated to their mission, too devout as sailor soldiers to truly listen to her. She understood them, but no one could understand her, and the terrible power she held, something that made her wonder about the difference between the woman at whom they were to strike, and whether when all was said and done would they do the same to her, a person too powerful to leave alive.

Haruka, and her blue haired partner alike could only wonder at the meaning behind their lack of dreams the night before, why hadn’t they received the same warning that the other senshi had, what was different between them that they were not warned? They could only find one answer to the question; they were dead or not there. Both were truly disturbing and something they didn’t want to truly know the answer. This would be one thing that would be puzzled out or left alone, the pair could only hope that they too would receive some idea of what truly went on, something in their dreams to reassure them of what they were fighting for.

---

Usagi walked home in not quite so silent thought, moving sluggishly through the streets, she could not be sure, but something didn’t feel right, something about doing this, it just didn’t feel right. Her downcast expression carried her throughout the streets, and all but home, when finally she looked up, she saw her house looming ahead. She didn’t really want to go home, because they were sure to see her troubled mind, and ask questions she’d rather not answer. That decided she found the ladder and silently clambered up to the roof, content to watch the stars for a while, unknowing doing the same as a pigtailed man, as he decided his future.

---

Ranma awoke at sunrise, the gentle yet intense light of the morning rousing him from peaceful slumber upon his mother’s roof. “Today is the day.†He yawned to himself, and rose fluidly. He stretched his back, and leapt from his perch to the ground, landing with a soft disruption of the dirt, nothing more. He strode calmly into the kitchen, basking in the serenity of the house, and of his mind, trying desperately to capture this, knowing that for quite some time turmoil would be the best of his thoughts. He walked calmly to the table and sat, knowing that this may be the last time he’d taste his mother’s coking for quite some time.

Breakfast was a grand affair at the Saotome home this morning, mountains of food piled onto the table. Nodoka said it was because he would need his energy today, but he sensed something off about her mood, but didn’t want to pursue it, content instead to spend time with his mother. The auburn haired woman seemed to come to a conclusion, and broke the companionable silence.

“Ranma, if ever I should die, I want you to have this sword, claim it as my student, and as the last of our blood.†He knew to what she referred shortly after she had married, her parents had died. She had stated that she feared that she would not live to see him married at the rate he was dealing with women. None of that was important.

“Come on mom you’re not gonna d…†“Ranma, promise me.†She countered sternly, giving him a look that said without question that she needed this reassurance.

“Fine mom, I will claim the sword when you die, though I still think it will be a long time from now.†He said, finishing his breakfast. “I have to go deal with the mess at the Tendo place, I’ll see you later.†He stood to leave, and had only made it to the door before he was turned about face to be crushed in a hug by his mother. “I love you son.†She said, her voice wavering. Ranma was dumbfounded, but could only return her hug. “I love you too mom. I’ll be back in a while, I promise.†She looked at him a moment, memorizing his features for a moment before that serene gaze returned, she was content.

---

Ranma had left his home after giving his mother another hug, and kiss on the cheek. His journey through Nerima didn’t take long, perhaps a half hour before he stood before the gates of the Tendo home, hoping that as he had instructed, Nabiki had gathered the Wrecking Crew. “Only one way to find out.†He muttered and entered, wrapping himself in his defenses. The soul of ice coated his roiling emotions in a layer of frost as he went.

The Tendo dojo was full of people, all seated throughout the dojo, wondering why he they had been told to come here. All wondering what could be so important that Ranma had removed them from their daily activities to get them here? Also wondering what every other was doing here. Their idle chatting was silenced when the pigtailed man entered, his face a mask of icy detachment. The look on his face causing those who were about to demand he explain himself to falter, stopping them in their tracks as a shiver traveled down their collective spines.

“You are all wondering why I call you here, and now you will find out why. For a long time this has gone on, some of you chasing me, others still after me for one reason or another. It is long past time that I gave you all my decision.†He paused for an instant, lending tension to his words, and forestalling any interruptions by giving them a chance to speak, no one spoke. “I, Saotome Ranma, hereby renounce my name and all that goes with it. I am ronin.†Genma winced, and nodded, Soun along with him. That was when the two older men stood. “Saotome Ranma, you are hereby banished from the Saotome clan, stricken from records and mind. Your mastery of the martial arts is great, and if you defeat me you will be granted your license to continue practicing your art, do you accept these terms?†The pigtailed ronin nodded his ascent. He was about to continue when Happosai followed that statement. “Ranma, m’boy, you have been the best student I have ever had, your ability to learn is unsurpassed, and frankly, I have nothing left to teach you, it is time for you to grow and improve on your own.†Everyone else was still too shocked to do much anything other than gape, even as father and son stepped outside, and took stances facing each other on opposite sides of the koi pond, Soun close behind to stand as judge. “The rules are simple; the first to submit or be rendered unconscious is the loser. As fitting with our school, this is an anything goes match. Hajime!â€

No sooner had the Tendo patriarch announced the start of the match then both opponents leapt toward the center of the pond, coming together in a flurry of blows. Fists and feet struck out at their opponents, each man hanging amid the sky for what seemed forever before bounding off the other toward the ground. That time they stood square facing the other for a moment, checking their opponent, gauging him. They knew that Ranma would win; he always did in the end, especially when it mattered, but Genma refused to allow his son an easy victory. A gust of wind lifted a leaf, and in some unspoken signal, both men returned to the air, the Saotome School’s specialty zone of combat. It was mere moments in the air that took them to the next level of combat, pure anything goes elevating from a contest of skill and strength, into one of spiritual power and skill. Auras shot up around them, springing to life as unbridled power. Both men were masters of their art; the only difference between them was the recognition of their peers. It was now that things were laid out, this was an all or nothing bout, and the deep violet and golden bonfires surrounding the two men were a testimony to the solemnity of it.

“Time to show you what I’ve learned old man, get ready!†Ranma shouted as he blurred, charging forward at extreme speed toward his father, fist cocked back and preparing for a devastating haymaker. “We’ll see who shows who boy!†Genma blurred forth himself, striking out with his forearm, disarming his son of his punch with a hard block which caused a flare of both purple and gold, energy warring for dominance, though the darker color won out, its placement meant to break and redirect momentum. The older man struck out with a solid blow to the solar plexus, sending the air out of the younger’s chest, even as he was sent tumbling backward.

“Soul Flare!†Ranma bellowed as he recovered in midair, tossing a swirling golden orb at his sensei and parent. It had taken him some time to understand and devise this technique, having had to gain control enough over his energies to coalesce it as an orb, and keep it that way, but his ingenuity and perseverance had won out over the difficulty, and the aurulent sphere impacting his father was proof. A sick fascination washed over him as he watched the ki ball strike his parent and explode, detonating and sending the stocky man flying backward same as himself.

That moment of fascination did not detract from his landing, falling having been drilled into muscle memory long ago. Just as his feet contacted the earth he tucked into a tight ball and rolled, springing to his feet from such instantaneously. He was on his feet just in time to watch Genma rise, and rose the stakes himself this time, more power drawn from within and from without, maxing out his reserves in a titanic display of power. It was only Genma’s experience that saved him from paling, instead raising his own power to a healthy level, albeit one lesser than his son’s.

“Shin Genma Tama!†The brilliant dark orb shot at him, giving him barely enough time to erect a defense. The golden glow around him concentrated into his palms, and was the padding for his hands as he caught the blast, though he was forced back from the pressure. He was being pushed hard, everything from Genma’s bag of tricks lain to bear. Misdirection was a key point when fighting any opponent who was a serious threat, and Genma was a master of that art as surely as he was of the Anything Goes. It was a battle that required control and precision, something the younger man had refined supremely in the past months. “Moko Ryou!†Ranma cried, and with an inarticulate yell to follow the first the aurulent power in his palms swelled and shoved against the inky sphere, pushing it backward, and toward Genma, until his blast won out, the darker lost cohesion, failing and screening the golden beam that his son was maintaining in a steady and tight stream.

The bald master could not believe his eyes, after being caught almost entirely unaware; his son had caught his ki attack, something that was practically unheard of. What shocked him greater than that was that he pushed it back and punched through, winning the contest of strength. He had no escape from this, and could only brace himself for the coming impact.

A resounding explosion rocked the foundations of the Tendo compound, marking the end of the Aerial Anything Goes mastery duel. The inhabitants of the dojo house, and the various martial artists and masters stepped from the wooden training hall as the dust was clearing; standing amidst a blazing golden aura of raw strength was the newest master of the anything goes. Laying several yards away in a heap at the base of the compound wall was his father, unconscious. Tendo Soun could only nod his head solemnly, having expected this outcome; Ranma was an untamed spirit, bound only by his own sense of honor, a fighter of unrivaled ability. “I hereby announce the ronin Ranma the winner. With his victory, it is my honor to be the first to welcome him as a master of the Musabetsu Kakuto Ryuu. Congratulations son.†The raven haired man stated firmly, and then at the last, warmly. He smiled as the young man went to his father, and collected him, walking swiftly into the house to lay him on his futon in what used to be their bedroom.

---

An hour and a half later, the stocky master of the arts awoke, his mind hazed by his lack of awareness, though that swiftly cleared as he recalled the details surrounding his time lapse. “I’m proud son.†He whispered as he lifted himself to his feet, knowing that his son would await him in the dojo. His journey there took only a moment, and as he suspected, the raven haired young master sat in meditation. The Saotome patriarch sat opposite him, and spoke.

“Ranma, this day has been a long time coming, while I am sorry that my actions have brought you strife, I can’t help but be proud of your handling it. You made a very difficult decision, one that has taken a great deal from you in order to preserve the honor of many others. I regret not telling you how proud of you I have been all these years. Please forgive this old man for his errors.†Genma spoke softly, yet there was no trace of anything other than sincerity in his voice.

The pigtailed ronin smiled softly. “I thank you Saotome-san, and though it is no longer my place to call you such, I wish to convey to you with the utmost sincerity, my gratitude, you were the only constant throughout my life, and I will always be proud to have had the privilege to be your son. Thank you for giving me the means to become who I am.†At that both men stood, facing each other briefly before jumping forward to hug the other fiercely, the love a father and son showed openly for just this once, long enough to build a memory that they would cherish for a great deal of time to come.

---

Awhile later Ranma was headed to his mother’s home, his step carrying no little amount of jubilation in it. He walked casually, and would reach his mother’s home quickly at this pace, within the next few moments in fact. That was when he felt the spike of energy. His mother was a blazing beacon at full strength, and this beacon shined with killing intent staining the serenity that was usually the feel of her aura. Her energy was waning though, and it wouldn’t take much longer for her to fall entirely. His pack forgotten he dashed toward her home, his mind frantic about what could cause this.

To Be Continued…

A/N: I know I said that I would have the end of the beginning this chapter, but this cliffhanger was just too perfect. I intend to give you all an emotionally heavy chapter soon so I wanted to clear the path for that before beginning the heavy stuff.

Technique Translations:

Genma Tama: Dark Horse Shot. See chapter 1, “Blood’s Remembrance†for details

Moko Ryou: Fierce Tiger Finish. A stronger version of the Mokou Takabisha, refined and better controlled.

Soul Flare: This is a rather quick adaptation of something he saw on television, while a station was playing an old episode of Night Warriors, aka Darkstalkers. This attack is originally used by Morrigan Aesland.